A Quote

"Half of knowing what you want is knowing what you have to give up to obtain it."

Spare Change

Have been thinking about "change" for a while now.

In some things in my life I feel that I'm welcome to change because I can see the good that can come out of it.

Accepting change is also something that I have learned to do. Sometimes I see it as a good opportunity to really trust in Him because I feel the only reason why I might feel resistant to change is because it is something that I am not comfortable with and ever since a few months back I told myself that I will dare to do things that are out of my comfort zone. But I seem to have forgotten that and I find myself going back to my comfort zone.

But back on change. Although I have become open to change (maybe too open) I start asking myself whether there are somethings in my life that I refuse to change.

Am I just holding on to some things because it does not seem like I have to change it?

I read in a book that in order to change others we must first change ourselves. I also heard someone say be the change that you want to be.

I asked myself whether I've changed drastically in the past few months. I can say that I changed in October 2007 and even in November but as the months dragged on I realize that I have gone back to the way I was before.

As much as I thought that I knew and that I am changed I have to constantly remind myself not to take where I am now for granted. I really love what Pastor Benjamin shared... If God brought you this far, He will be faithful to carry you through. Although for me I have not been brought that far yet and I've already become too quick to settle for an "unfinished work".

I pray that He'll guide me along through all the obvious changes and to give me the grace to change the things about myself that needs changing.

Thoughts...

While waiting for the bus I just started thinking...

Where I believe God wants me to be and where I stand right now is such a long distance away. I wanted to ask Him how do I get there. I do not want to be live a life that falls short of what He wants me to live.

Before I could ask the question He already gave the answer...

"It's not about what you can do. The big gap that you see, that long distance will be covered by My grace."

I was reminded once again that only He can fulfill what He has placed in my heart. It's not about how much I can learn, how much I can improve, how much I can try - it's all about His grace so that when that day comes I can only boast of His grace and give Him the glory.

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Last Sunday the short clip of the scene from the Passion of the Christ really spoke to me...

The woman caught in adultery was on the ground and she reached out her hand to touch Jesus and Jesus held her arms and raised her up.

I thought to myself, "Wow. Even when we fall, even when we're down, we can rely on Jesus to always extend his arms to us and pick us up."

Then I was reminded of one important thing that was different between that woman and us. Jesus had not been nailed to the cross at that time when he stretched out his hand to the woman but right now, whenever he extends his arms to raise us up, the holes left by the nails are there.

Imagine clasping Jesus' hands as he raises us up and feeling the holes left by the nails.

"Wow, Jesus. You went through all that for me..."

Every time he picks us up right now from the times that we are down, the holes declare that the work is finished. We do not have to live that kind of life anymore. He has paid for it with his blood.

"Wow, Jesus. You went through all that for me!"

99

I've stepped into the 2-digit zone. 99 days left until my stint in the army is over. That does not include weekends, 5 days leave left, public holidays and off in-lieus (oh and wisdom teeth).

It's been a great learning experience (more on that 98 days from now).